Decommissioning Manager

Our client is a North Sea operator client, recruiting for the position of Decommissioning Manager based in Aberdeen. This is a senior staff role requireing demonstrable proven experience in managing the entire decommissioning lifecycle. 
 
The Decommissioning Manager will act as the central coordination point for all decommissioning activities across the company’s asset portfolio, ensuring delivering safe, compliant, and cost-effective execution throughout the full project life cycle. The role will be responsible for establishing and maintaining corporate decommissioning processes, standards, and governance frameworks to ensure a consistent and robust approach to managing decommissioning activities. Operating within a matrix organisation, the Decommissioning Manager will provide functional leadership, expert guidance, and strategic direction, reporting directly to the Head of Projects.
 
The role requires demonstrable experience of decommissioning within the UK oil and gas sector, including strong working knowledge of the regulatory requirements and confidence in engaging with OPRED, the NSTA, and OEUK.
Responsibilities
Strategic & Governance

• Develop, implement, and maintain corporate decommissioning policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines to support consistent, high-quality project delivery and regulatory compliance.
• Create and maintain a decommissioning governance framework aligned with company objectives, industry best practice and guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Deliver asset specific decommissioning philosophies
• Lead the development of long-term decommissioning plans and liability assessments across the asset portfolio.
• Provide functional oversight and assurance for decommissioning scopes across all operated assets.

Project Lifecycle Responsibilities

• Oversee decommissioning planning and execution across all project phases, from early concept development through to post-close-out activities.
• Responsible for supporting asset teams with preparation of Decommissioning Programmes and regulatory submissions.
• Drive project decision-making based on risk, value, safety, and environmental performance.
• Champion that lessons learned and continuous improvement practices are embedded across all decommissioning activities.
• Oversight of overall decommissioning activity schedules
• Develop and maintain decommissioning estimates
• Input to functional plans to identify resources across assets

Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary focal point for OPRED in relation to decommissioning projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations.
• Represent the company with Joint Venture Partners and Retained Liability Parties in all matters related to asset decommissioning
• Maintain strong working relationships with the NSTA and OEUK.
• Coordinate regulatory submissions, approvals, and reporting in accordance with applicable legislation and guidance.
• Represent the company in industry forums, working groups, and regulatory discussions where appropriate.

Technical & Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical advice and assurance on decommissioning engineering, planning, cost estimation, contracting strategy, and execution management.
• Support cross-functional teams operating within a matrix environment, ensuring alignment between wells, subsea, projects, operations, engineering, HSE, commercial, legal, and operations functions.
• Mentor and develop internal capability on decommissioning practices and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee contractor engagement, scope definition, and performance management for decommissioning services.

 
 
Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a relevant technical discipline.
• Extensive demonstrable experience in offshore oil and gas decommissioning within the UKCS, covering the full project lifecycle.
• Demonstrable HSE leadership skills
• Strong working knowledge of UK decommissioning legislation and regulatory processes, particularly with OPRED.
• Proven experience of working directly with OPRED, NSTA, and OEUK.
• Ability to develop and implement corporate procedures, governance frameworks, and assurance processes.
• Strong project management, organisational, and communication skills.
• Experience working in a matrix organisation, with ability to influence without direct authority.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Formal project management qualification (e.g., APM, PMP, PRINCE2).
• Experience in late-life asset management or abandonment operations.
• Familiarity with cost estimation methodologies and decommissioning liability modelling.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and external contractors.
• Current Offshore BOSIET

 
Permanent position
 
If you feel that you are well suited to the above opportunity and would like to find out more then please contact Orion Group for more information or apply by forwarding your current CV quoting reference: PR/082620 .


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